Gallery: Visits with Santa yield smiles, but some tears too

Lorraine Hjalte, Calgary Herald12.01.2013

The Simpson family Faith, 2, Carter, 6, Scott,2 and Jared, 3, were among the autistic children and their families had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, along with Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.

Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Sofia Brandrick, 2, was among a group of autistic children and their families who had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, and some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Cameron Maynard, 7, talks to Santa as autistic children and their families had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall , and had some help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

The Grobler family, Dad Achilles, mom Miriam, Evita, 6 and Cruz 9 months took part as Autistic children and their families had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, and some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

The Braun family, Emma, 2, and Owen, 4, were among the autistic children and their families who had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, and some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Brynn Ness, 4, and Hayley 9, were amoung the autistic children and their families who had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, and some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Carter Earl, 6, got his picture taken but his sibling wanted nothing to do with it as autistic children and their families had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, and had some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Seeing triple, the Hallamore boys, Max, left, Oscar and Ben all 4 were among the autistic children and their families had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall and had some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Jen Marko with her children, Spencer, 7, Emily 3 and Elias, 4 were among the autistic children and their families had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, and had some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Callum Buxton, 7 left and his brother Logan, 8 were among the autistic children and their families had a special time to visit with Santa on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Organizers made a few modifications to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at South Centre Mall, and had some extra help from Santa's special helper Jerry Weeks, to make the environment more accommodating for their needs. The program was offered before mall hours on a Sunday. This year the event was offered over three Sundays in the Calgary mall and all of the time slots were booked up so they are looking into if they need to offer more time next year. Also this year malls owned by Oxford Properties offered the program all across Canada.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

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